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The rapid village survey in tuberculosis control
M W Elink Schuurman1, S Srisaenpang, S Pinitsoontorn
1Royal Tropical Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Tubercle and Lung Disease : the Official Journal of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease
|December 1, 1996
Summary
A new rapid village survey method for tuberculosis detection is effective and affordable. This approach identifies nearly as many sputum-positive tuberculosis cases as traditional methods, at less than half the cost.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Disease Surveillance
Background:
- Tuberculosis remains a significant global health challenge, necessitating efficient surveillance methods.
- Accurate prevalence estimation is crucial for effective tuberculosis control programs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a rapid, cost-effective village survey method for establishing tuberculosis prevalence.
- To compare the efficacy of a novel rapid survey technique against conventional methods.
Main Methods:
- A standardized 'rapid village survey' was designed and implemented in Khon Kaen Province, Thailand.
- The method involved targeted examination of individuals with chest symptoms and active tracing of contacts.
- A cluster sample of 40 villages (20,730 people) was surveyed, comparing the rapid method with a conventional full examination.
Main Results:
- The rapid village survey identified 14 cases of sputum-positive tuberculosis.
- The conventional survey identified 15 cases of sputum-positive tuberculosis.
- The rapid method achieved comparable case detection rates to the conventional approach.
Conclusions:
- The rapid village survey is a viable and efficient alternative for tuberculosis prevalence studies.
- This method offers significant cost savings compared to traditional full population surveys.
- The findings support the adoption of rapid survey techniques for enhanced tuberculosis surveillance.